Meningitis B in students: the warning signs, risks, and vaccine explained

Why young people heading to university are being urged to know the symptoms and check whether they are eligible for vaccination

As thousands of young people prepare to start university and college this autumn, health experts are urging students to understand the warning signs of meningitis B and make sure they have access to the protection available to them.

Meningitis can develop rapidly and may initially look like a much more common illness, such as flu, a stomach bug or even a severe hangover. Knowing what to look for could therefore be crucial, particularly for students living away from home for the first time.

Recent UK health data has highlighted the particular risk faced by young people. UK Health Security Agency data has shown that meningococcal group B, commonly known as MenB, accounts for the vast majority of meningococcal disease among teenagers and young adults. UKHSA has also highlighted evidence suggesting that first-year university students face a substantially higher risk of meningococcal disease than other people of the same age.

A one-off MenB vaccination programme is also being offered to eligible young people in 2026, giving thousands of students an opportunity to increase their protection before the new academic year.

What exactly is meningitis?

Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria and, less commonly, other organisms.

Bacterial meningitis is particularly serious because it can progress quickly and may cause life-threatening complications, including sepsis.

Meningococcal bacteria can live in the nose and throat without causing illness in many people. In some cases, however, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream or the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, resulting in meningococcal disease.

MenB refers specifically to meningococcal bacteria belonging to group B.

According to current UKHSA information, group B accounted for 82.6 per cent of meningococcal disease cases in England in 2024/25. Among 15 to 19-year-olds, all recorded cases in that period were caused by MenB, while it accounted for 97 per cent of cases among 20 to 24-year-olds.

Why can students be more vulnerable?

Young people are among the groups at greater risk of meningococcal disease.

One reason is that meningococcal bacteria can be carried harmlessly in the throat. Meningitis Now says that up to one in four people aged 15 to 19 may carry meningitis-causing bacteria, compared with around one in 10 people across the wider population.

Starting university can also mean suddenly living in close proximity to large numbers of other young people.

Students may share bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and social spaces. They may also attend parties and other crowded events where close contact is common.

This does not mean that university students should be alarmed. Meningococcal disease remains uncommon. However, the combination of age, close social contact and communal living means students should be familiar with the symptoms and know when to seek urgent medical help.

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

Meningitis does not always present in the same way, and symptoms can appear in different orders. Some people will not experience every symptom.

Possible signs include:

• A high temperature or fever
• A severe headache
• Vomiting
• A stiff neck
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Confusion or irritability
• Unusual sleepiness or difficulty waking
• Severe muscle or joint pain
• Cold hands and feet
• Pale, blotchy or mottled skin
• Seizures
• A rash

Early symptoms can sometimes resemble flu or another everyday illness, which is one reason meningitis can be difficult to recognise.

Meningitis Now warns that someone with meningitis or sepsis can deteriorate very quickly. It also stresses that people should not wait for every symptom to appear before seeking help.

What about a rash?

A rash can be an important warning sign, particularly when meningococcal infection has caused sepsis.

However, a rash does not always appear, particularly in the early stages of illness.

That means you should not wait for a rash before seeking medical advice if someone is becoming seriously unwell.

A rash associated with meningococcal disease may not fade when pressed with a clear glass. This is sometimes known as the glass test, although medical advice should be sought regardless of the result if someone is seriously ill.

What should students do if they become seriously unwell?

If you or a friend is becoming rapidly more unwell and meningitis is a possibility, seek urgent medical assistance.

Do not assume that someone simply has freshers' flu, food poisoning or a hangover.

Meningitis Now advises people to trust their instincts and seek immediate medical help when someone is seriously ill or deteriorating.

In an emergency, call 999.

For less immediately life-threatening situations where you are concerned about meningitis, NHS 111 can provide urgent medical advice.

If a friend is ill, it is also important not to leave them alone if they are getting worse. Check on them regularly and escalate the situation if their condition changes.

Is there a vaccine for meningitis B?

Yes.

The MenB vaccine protects against meningococcal group B bacteria, which can cause meningitis and sepsis.

The vaccine has been part of the routine childhood programme in the UK since 2015, with babies normally receiving doses during infancy.

However, many teenagers and young adults did not receive MenB vaccination as children because they were born before the vaccine became part of the routine programme.

That is particularly relevant for students starting university in 2026.

Who can receive the MenB vaccine in 2026?

The NHS has introduced a temporary programme for eligible young people.

According to the NHS, the MenB vaccine is being offered until March 2027 to people born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008, as well as certain young people under 25 who are starting university or eligible further education courses for the first time in autumn 2026.

NHS guidance says first doses are available until 31 December 2026, while second doses can be given until 31 March 2027.

Students should check their eligibility through the NHS rather than assuming that they are automatically covered.

The NHS also advises students starting university or college for the first time to check their meningitis vaccinations because the first weeks of term can involve increased contact with other people.

Does the MenB vaccine protect against every type of meningitis?

No.

This is an important distinction.

Meningitis can have several different causes, so receiving a MenB vaccine does not provide protection against every form of the disease.

The MenACWY vaccine protects against four meningococcal groups: A, C, W and Y. It is separate from the MenB vaccine.

Students should therefore check their overall vaccination history rather than assuming that having received one meningitis vaccine means they are protected against all meningococcal infections.

How is meningitis treated?

Suspected bacterial meningitis requires urgent hospital assessment and treatment.

Treatment can include antibiotics, fluids and other supportive care. Patients who develop serious complications may require additional treatment and monitoring.

Viral meningitis is different. Some cases are relatively mild and improve without specific treatment, although severe cases can still require hospital care.

Because it is difficult to determine the cause based on symptoms alone, suspected meningitis should always be taken seriously.

The key message for students

Starting university is an exciting time, but it is also a period when many young people are living away from home and spending more time in close contact with others.

Meningitis is uncommon, but it can become life-threatening very quickly.

Knowing the warning signs, checking your vaccination status and acting quickly if someone becomes seriously ill are three practical steps students can take.

For students eligible for the 2026 MenB programme, vaccination provides an additional layer of protection at an age when the risk of meningococcal disease is higher.

The most important thing to remember is simple: do not wait for every symptom to appear. If someone is becoming rapidly and seriously unwell, seek urgent medical help.

Sources

• UK Health Security Agency, Invasive Meningococcal Disease outbreak 2026: technical briefing 1.
• NHS, MenB vaccine for children and young people.
• NHS, Getting medical care as a student.
• Meningitis Now, Student campaign 2026.
• Meningitis Now, Meningitis signs and symptoms.

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for general information and awareness only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Meningitis and meningococcal disease can become serious very quickly. If you or someone else is seriously unwell or you suspect meningitis or sepsis, seek urgent medical assistance and call 999 in an emergency.